So how was the first week of work? Pretty damn awesome! The snow has been steadily falling, meaning that more slopes are getting ready to open. At the moment only the Furano Zone side of the mountain is open but, fingers crossed, on the 23rd of December the Kitanomine side will be open too, which logistically is much easier for us to operate out of (closer to home, where our staff room is etc). The beginner area at Furano Zone is getting better with the snowfall and no longer can you feel the ice under the one steep pitch. Up the top of the mountain the snow is already amazing! We just need some more depth for safe off-piste adventures.
The team are great and really help each other out with shuttle runs to ensure those with days off get to play in the Japow, lifts to the supermarket and sharing the crowded beginner area while we wait for the magic carpet to open. We even take turns to clear the snow off the van – you only need a soft brush- no scraping off ice like at home.
For now, all the beginners have to walk up the hill – which they love – not! The only thing that we haven’t loved about a sharing team is the cold that is going round the team!
We had a morning off on Thursday and it had snowed about 15cm overnight. So we headed up to play in the Japow – what an awesome morning.
First time out for my snowboard and it felt great. Pete had already been teaching some snow boarding but my first week was all ski lessons. Next week I will be teaching a right mixture of boarding and skiing (hopefully not on the same day).
Thursday night a load of us went to a soba restaurant to celebrate Dan’s birthday. Apart from bad backs after sitting at the Japanese low tables (especially Dan who has really long legs), we had a great time.
We have joined the local gym which has great facilities including free weights, cardio, stretching area, a 25m pool, sauna amd massage chair for about £2.70 a visit.
To offset all the healthy living, Pete is eying up a bottle of Japanese whisky.
Last night FISS (our ski school) put on a masterclass for the staff on ski boots which included how to ensure best fit when buying, ongoing boot maintenance and most importantly for me – how to try to keep your feet warm. It is the one thing about skiing that I hate – cold toes! Thanks Bob – we learned heaps and everyone enjoyed a few beers during the talk.
